Granada.

This week has been rough. I’ve been missing home a lot and have felt overwhelmed by the looming months I have left in Europe. Not a lot happened this week and I think that didn’t make it easier. But yesterday, while taking a break in the hotel room in Granada, I had some quality time with God and He helped me get back on track.

Romans 8. You should go read it right now. I have read through this chapter many times, but yesterday I was amazed by God’s promises that are so unbelievably relevant to my life right now and exactly the words that I needed to read yesterday.

Verse 18 talks about our sufferings and how they don’t even begin to compare to the glory that God longs to reveal to us. It would be extreme to say I am suffering here, but I have definitely been taken out of my comfort zone. This is what I needed. I like being comfortable too much and I am not eager to leave my comfort zone when I am at home. I leave it everyday that I am here. And God will do great things through that.

Verse 20 talks about how God will help us in our weaknesses and how the Spirit prays to God on our behalf with “groans that words cannot express.” The Spirit is interceding on my behalf while I am here. Praying for me when I don’t know how.

Verse 28 reminds me that God is working everything here out for my good. Every single day.

Verses 38-39 are the reminder I need that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God. Even in Spain, He is with me and that is enough.

I don’t want to complain, and I don’t want you to think that I am not enjoying my time in Malaga, but I wanted to share the struggles that I have been having and also how amazing our God is! He reminded me of simple truths that I have heard many times before and comforted me through them!

Now on to the highlight of the week! Our weekend in Granada!

Saturday morning we headed to Granada, which is about an hour and a half away from Malaga.

While there, we visited the Palacio Real. No pictures here, you’ll have to come visit if you want to see it!

A not-so-great view of the outside. 

The lighting was bad and it was HUGE.

We also went on a walking tour through the major plazas of the city. It was beautiful!

Granada's Cathedral

We had some free time for lunch and a few of us wandered through the Albayzin neighborhood and enjoyed breathtaking views of the Alhambra and the city.

Shelly, Carly, Me, and Tabitha.

The Alhambra looms in the background!

That night, we had a “surprise”. We first trekked back through the Albayzin neighborhood to see the Alhambra lit up at night!

Wow.

Then we went to a Flamenco show! My first since arriving in Spain. I am not sure what I expected, but it was definitely different. It is very strong and loud! They even pulled some of the people in our group up to dance with them, and I was thrilled NOT to be chosen!

Outside the Flamenco place.

One of our site directors showing off his Flamenco abilities.

Sunday, we toured the famous Alhambra. You cannot go to Granada without seeing it! I took about a million pictures, but here are some of the best. Though these pictures hardly do it justice. It is a stunning fortress. I wish I was more interested in history and didn’t have such a short attention span, but a 3 hour tour in Spanglish loses me every time…

View of the city.

The Alcazaba portion of the Alhambra is on the right.

One of the many gardens within.

The Moors who built this fortress came from the deserts where water was always very scarce. To prove their wealth here, they used water as decoration.

Me, Tabitha, Carly, and Shelly on one of the patios.

I love the reflection of the fortress in the water.

Courtyard of the Lions.

The lions in the middle used to function as a clock, with a different lion spouting water each hour. Later, Christians who conquered the area took it apart to see how it worked and it hasn't worked since. The lions have been undergoing restoration for the past few years and have been missing. They only recently returned to the courtyard. Just in time for our visit!

The intricate detail blows me away.

I feel like we did a pretty good job seeing the city in a day and a half! This was the other city I thought about studying in while in Spain, and though I loved being there, it felt good to come back to Malaga!